Minnesota Timberwolves 2020 NBA mock draft roundup
The NBA draft is finally upon us.
OK, maybe finally is a bad word considering the season just ended in October. But it is November, which is five months later than usual for the draft.
Anyway, it’s here. And the Minnesota Timberwolves own the No. 1 overall pick. And No. 17. And No. 33.
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There is, as always, a lot of conjecture on who will go when in the draft. This year being especially confusing due to no NCAA tournament, players opting out of a college basketball season which has yet to begin, lack of workouts and no real consensus No. 1 player.
Yes, the Wolves could trade out of the top pick. They could deal No. 17 and a player and move up. Those things are harder to project.
For our purposes, we’ll look at who Minnesota might take in the first round. We’ve found 30 mock drafts around the web which do just that (only 28 for the No. 17 pick).
At No. 1, it’s basically a two-man game (with the third option of a trade). At No. 17, there’s a lot of different names, although one player was mentioned twice more than anyone else.
OK, with that out of the way, here’s the predictions from around the web for the first-round picks of the Minnesota Timberwolves:
- 1 PICK
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “None of the players in contention for the top spot are perfect fits in Minnesota. So the Timberwolves should just take the best prospect available. And, in my mind, that player is LaMelo Ball, the 6-6 point guard who sees things most players his age cannot see, and makes plays most players his age cannot make.”
SI.com’s Jeremy Woo: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “While there’s justifiable debate as to who the draft’s top prospect really is, Edwards has a strong case, with an elite physical profile, an improving jump shot, underrated playmaking skills and the potential to be a good defender as he matures. He has a lot to learn, and his overall efficiency and level of engagement must improve. But factoring in his team context and development trajectory, Edwards has really just started to tap into his ability. He fits comfortably with the Timberwolves’ core pieces and will benefit from playing with better players for the first time, which should naturally help his shot selection to an extent. Edwards continues to track as the best answer and presumptive solution for Minnesota.”
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ($): Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Essentially, the conversations boil down to this: do they take the guy who fits better on this roster in Edwards, who can clearly slide into the 2-guard spot? Or do they take Ball, who probably has a bit more upside?”
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connell: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
Scott Gleeson of USA Today: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Edwards is an explosive scorer with immediate All-Star capability and two-way ability. He’s the safer pick for a Timberwolves roster with two All-Stars already in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Edwards draws comparisons to Dwyane Wade for his do-everything style as a combo guard.”
Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “It makes sense for the Timberwolves to trade down, but ultimately the No. 1 pick in this draft just may not be enough to entice teams to give up assets. Edwards is a good fit and has as much potential as anyone in the class with his scoring ability and athleticism, so it makes sense for Minnesota to take him.”; Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “While Ball and D’Angelo Russell could clash as ball-dominators, and Wiseman and Karl-Anthony Towns make little sense in today’s quicker, smaller NBA, Edwards could work as a third scoring option between the franchise’s current cornerstones. His shot selection would naturally tighten in Minnesota playing alongside a pair of veteran stars.”
Ben Golliver of the Washington Post: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “If Minnesota were drafting on pure fit, shooting guard Anthony Edwards would work most effectively alongside point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Karl-Anthony Towns. But draft analysts have rallied to Ball’s side in recent weeks, in part because his size (6-foot-7) and playmaking ability combine to give him perhaps the highest ceiling of any player in this class.”
Connor Leourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “Anthony Edwards is a more logical fit alongside D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, but Ball is receiving significant buzz at No. 1. His court vision and ballhandling have some NBA front offices projecting him as a perennial All-Star.”
Yahoo’s Krysten Peek: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Edwards isn’t the clear-cut No. 1 pick, but he is the safest pick at this point. There’s some risk that comes with taking LaMelo Ball, and Minnesota can plug in Edwards right away alongside D’Angelo Russell. The Timberwolves were also one of the worst teams defensively last season, and Edwards is an elite defender with his athleticism and 6-foot-10 wingspan.”
Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “Ball is far from a perfect prospect, but he still has a strong case as the top overall player in this class. Ball’s potential as an on-ball creator offers a clearer pathway to high-level impact than Anthony Edwards’ scoring ability, James Wiseman’s size, or Deni Avdija’s all-around game. As a 6’7 lead guard, Ball blends tight ball handling ability with tremendous vision and creative passing skills. The Wolves still have plenty of room for improvement in terms of creation even after acquiring D’Angelo Russell last year. If Ball isn’t a perfect complement to Russell and superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns right now, think of him as a long-term insurance policy in case that pairing can’t live up to the hype.”
Jordan Greer of the Sporting News: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “If the T-Wolves do keep the top pick, Edwards seems to be the best fit next to D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. He needs to work on his decision-making and give more consistent effort defensively, but his scoring ability and athleticism are elite.”
Kyle Boone of CBS Sports: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Minnesota already has a ball-dominant guard and a franchise center, so regardless of what the front office has said publicly, I don’t find it likely that LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman are the picks here. That leaves the other big name in Anthony Edwards, a 6-foot-5 wing who can play off D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, as the potential beneficiary of unique circumstances.”
Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “In a draft where nothing is a slam dunk, the Timberwolves try like hell to make a deal — even if it’s just to move back and take Ball at a later spot — but ultimately end up with a player with elite passing skills and cross their fingers on his development.”
Dylan Mickanen of NBC Sports Northwest: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “If he can develop a reliable shot, he will be an All-Star and he’s the only player in this draft I feel that about. If you’re drafting first overall, take the player with the best chance of being an All-Star. Do not draft for fit.”
The Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “Ball has elite passing/playmaking skills, but needs to improve shot mechanics and defense. Wolves would have to figure how Ball and D’Angelo Russell — two ball-dominant players — blend as a backcourt.”
The Philadephia Inquirer’s Marc Narducci: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Edwards’ combination of athleticism and scoring potential makes him the guy, with the Wolves leaning slightly toward the better play-off-the-ball option alongside D’Angelo Russell.”
Andy Katz of FOX Sports: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “If the Timberwolves keep this pick, then going with the most talented wing makes the most sense. Edwards is one of the few likely stars in this draft.”
Brad Crawford of 247 Sports: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “Ball may have the biggest upside in the draft and with no sure-fire player at No. 1 overall, he seems to be the prospect that Minnesota is leaning toward. He would bring a scoring punch and passing acumen to the Timberwolves’ backcourt.”
Newsday’s Steve Popper: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
Zach Braziller of the NY Post: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA. “Ball has the highest upside of any prospect in the draft. His length at 6-foot-7, vision and shooting range will ease the burden on Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.”
NBADraft.net: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
Paul M. Banks of the Sports Bank: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
Tankathon: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
NBA Draft Room: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia. “Edwards is loaded with talent but has question marks around his maturity and work ethic. Still, he’s the most talented player in the draft with an NBA-ready frame and all of the offensive ability in the world.”
Babcock Hoops: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
MyNBADraft.net: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
NetScouts: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
THE CONSENSUS
It’s a two-man race according to the experts (although, yes, many mentioned a possible trade). The mock tally: Ball – 13, Edwards – 17.
- 17 PICK
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis. “Reasonable minds can disagree on whether Precious Achiuwa will develop into an offensive threat or forever be little more than a high-energy big who plays center in small-ball lineups. But his athleticism, productivity at Memphis, and ability to guard multiple positions are enough to make him worth any pick at this point in the draft.”
SI.com’s Jeremy Woo: Aaron Nesmith, G/F, Vanderbilt.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ($): Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis. “Achiuwa just makes a lot of sense for them overall. He would really fit their defensive scheme next to Towns as an athletic, roving 4 man who can be a weak-side rim protector and mobile combo big. If he can work through the jumper concerns, he’ll be a definite role player in the NBA. But we’ll see if the jumper ever comes around.”
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connell: Tyrell Terry, SG, Stanford.
Scott Gleeson of USA Today: Tyrese Maxey, PG, Kentucky.
Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina. “The Wolves need a backup point guard, and Anthony should be able to step into that role right away as a confident ball-handler and bucket-getter.”
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland. “Smith moved up draft boards by improving his shooting and body. Only a handful of NBA bigs average at least a three-pointer and block, and Smith seems like a sure bet to join the club.”
Yahoo’s Krysten Peek: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Serbia. “Pokuševski is the year’s biggest boom-or-bust lottery ticket. Despite a rail-thin frame and limited film, Poku offers the promise of a 7-foot four man who can dribble, pass, and shoot. The Wolves are in position to take a swing for the fences if he’s still on the board at No. 17.”
Jordan Greer of the Sporting News: R.J. Hampton, SG, USA. “Hampton could be a decent upside gamble. The 19-year-old is a quick, explosive guard, but he will need some time to develop.”
Kyle Boone of CBS Sports: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis. “Achiuwa is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the draft and can act as an eraser next to Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt.”
The Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman: Tyrese Maxey, PG, Kentucky.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer: Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington.
The Philadephia Inquirer’s Marc Narducci: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston: Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington. “With LaMelo added to the Karl Towns/D’Angelo Russell core, the Timberwolves could probably be swayed to move off this pick for future assets or established talent. In the absence of a desirable offer, they hunt a floor-stretching 4 with a dynamic skill set whose stock slid after an underwhelming year at Washington.”
Dylan Mickanen of NBC Sports Northwest: Tyrese Maxey, PG, Kentucky.
Andy Katz of FOX Sports: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland. “The Timberwolves don’t need a big at No. 1, but getting another backup in someone like Smith later in the first round would benefit them. Smith has barely scratched the surface of his potential.”
Brad Crawford of 247 Sports: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
Zach Braziller of the NY Post: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis. “The 6-foot-9 Achiuwa can defend and rebound at a high level — qualities that help the Timberwolves from Day 1.”
Newsday’s Steve Popper: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
NBADraft.net: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Serbia.
Paul M. Banks of the Sports Bank: Xavier Tillman, C, Michigan State.
Tankathon: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
NBA Draft Room: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland.
Babcock Hoops: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis.
MyNBADraft.net: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Serbia.
NetScouts: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland.
THE TALLY
Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis — 10
Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
R.J. Hampton, SG, USA
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Kentucky — 3
Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington — 2
Aaron Nesmith, G/F, Vanderbilt
Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Serbia — 3
Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland — 5
Tyrell Terry, SG, Stanford
Xavier Tillman, C, Michigan State
